Crime in Springfield down in 2013

Saturday

Feb 8, 2014 at 12:30 AMFeb 8, 2014 at 12:32 AM

By John ReynoldsStaff Writer

Murders and burglaries were just two of the crime categories that saw a significant drop in Springfield during 2013.

Overall, the city saw a 12 percent decline in most major categories of crime last year, according to figures the city released this week. Specifically, the number of murders went from 10 in 2012 to 4 in 2013. The number of burglaries dropped from 1,667 to 1,303, and the number of thefts fell from 5,041 to 4,439, decreases of 22 percent and 12 percent, respectively.

Springfield acting Police Chief Kenny Winslow said he was pleased with the numbers.

“We’re extremely happy with the numbers,” said Winslow, who this week was nominated to fill the position on a permanent basis. “Obviously, we think the drop is (attributable) to the working relationship we have with the public as well as the hard work of the men and women of the department.”

While there were drops in most types of crimes, the number of robberies went up 10 percent, from 260 in 2012 to 287 in 2013.

Winslow said the numbers do not indicate that commercial robberies are on the rise. Instead, he said the increase is due to person-on-person robberies, which include everything from someone being robbed at gunpoint as they walk down the street to one child hitting another child and taking his cellphone.

“I have no reason as to why they are up,” Winslow said. “Robberies are a crime of opportunity sometimes.”

Winslow also didn’t have an explanation for the dramatic drop in the number of murders in 2013. He said that Springfield normally sees about eight to 12 homicides per year.

“Last year was a very good year for us,” Winslow said. “Obviously, one homicide is one too many. We would like to see zeros across the board, but, historically, that hasn’t been our trend or pattern.”

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